To correctly address this myth, we will need to be “more noble than those in Thessalonica” (Acts. 17:11) and search the scriptures, including Rom. 14, to see whether it is so. As the reader studies God’s Word and slowly reads Rom. 14, make sure to check out our other articles on “Rom. 14 Myths” and the “Are You ‘More Noble’?” series.

• – Sometimes a Christian references individual soul liberty, and the only passage they offer as proof is Rom. 14 even though the entirety of God’s Word deals with choice and individual soul liberty. (Of course, the reason is usually because they are wresting Rom. 14 from its true meaning.) From the very beginning of creation, God gave Adam and Eve choice and individual soul liberty by placing them in the Garden of Eden with a multitude of trees to enjoy but one tree that they were not to eat from (Gen. 2:16-17). Joshua’s famous proclamation in Josh. 24:15 about his and his house’s determination to “serve the Lord” gave Israel a choice to “choose you this day whom ye will serve.” All of the Bible presents choice as God’s gift and responsibility to us as created beings. Rom. 14 does likewise.
•  
• – As has repeatedly been stated in “Rom. 14 Myths”, Rom.14 lays down rules for how to properly handle and judge a fellow believer concerning their choices about the eating of meats and the observance of days. These rules again reveal an individual’s liberty of choice granted to them from God. The word “let” is used to remind the brethren to allow their fellow believers choice (vs. 3, 5).
•  
• Rom. 14:3 Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him.
• 5 One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.
•  
• The general principle of “individual soul liberty” from the entirety of God’s Word is reapplied here in Rom. 14 concerning the eating of meats and observance of days. You must not make a fellow believer choose a certain path. Mankind constantly devolves into the devil’s tyranny. God grants choice, but with choice also reminds us that He will judge (vs. 10-12).
•  
• Rom. 14:10 “But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.
• 11 For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.
• 12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.”
•  
• Believers are reminded that it is not their job to judge nor make their fellow believer choose a certain path (vs. 13).
•  
• Rom. 14:13 “Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way.”
•  
• – However, the certain choices and paths listed in Rom. 14 and its parallel passages are always the eating of meats and the observance of days. As seen in Myth #10 about Rom. 14 and ‘Matters of Conscience’, wresting Rom. 14 to include any kind of choice or path you want is wrong. Rom. 14 addresses individual soul liberty in context of the eating of meats and the observance of days and only should be interpreted as such.
•  
• – If you believe Rom. 14 addresses individual soul liberty as an excuse that everyone can do what is right in their own eyes and choose the path they want without consequence, then you are wrong. (Deut. 12:8, Judges 17:6, 21:25; Pro. 12:15, 16:6, 21:2) Yes, we have choice, but there are consequences to choices. Rom. 14 does not condone wrong or sinful choices. Rom. 14 reminds us that believers may not agree concerning the eating of meats and observance of days, but we must make sure how we treat God’s family and behave around each other. Those are the only issues addressed in Rom. 14 and its parallel passages. Despite what the modern backslidden “Christian” believes, Rom. 14 does not give liberty to sin nor to choose whatever path you think best without consequence.
•  

In conclusion, it is so, so important and crucial that believers and preachers be as accurate and pure as possible when interpreting God’s Word. The Bible cannot be used for personal gain, desire, and sin. Even if one does abuse the Bible wrongly like wresting the Scriptures (II Pt. 3:16), the entirety of God’s Word will quickly reveal such twistings as wrong and biblically unsupported. Rom. 14 has for too long been flippantly tossed about for backslidden believers’ personal sins and desires. May the reader strive to handle God’s holy Word, including Rom. 14, with the purity and accuracy it deserves and truly is.